Preservation of Sacred Oak is goal of Oley Township landowner

Lenni Lenape elders have certified that the ancient Sacred Oak, a yellow oak not native to Pennsylvania, is 489 years old. Rachel Theis, who owns the Oley Township farm where the tree stands, believes it might be about 700 years old.

The Sacred Oak of Oleka, as the Lenni Lenape called it, will be protected in perpetuity if its owner's preservationist plans materialize.

Rachel Theis, who owns the 73.5-acre Oley Township farm the venerable tree has occupied since at least the time of Christopher Columbus, has taken steps to protect the land from development.

Theis has started a process that, she hopes, will end with the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Board buying the development rights for the land.

Should that happen, Theis would retain ownership of the property but could not develop it. The prohibition on development also would apply to future owners.

"I've always planned on preserving the Sacred Oak," said Theis, 55, a landscape architect. "And this will preserve it forever."

On Thursday night, the Oley Township supervisors designated Theis' tract as part of the township's agricultural security area, a preliminary step in selling the development rights.

Theis has already filed an application to sell the development rights to the county land preservation board. The board reviews applications in a process that could take up to two years, a spokeswoman said.

When Theis bought the land from Geneva Schutt four years ago, the Sacred Oak was dying.

Drawing on a background in botany, Theis removed dead limbs and cleared brush and other trees from around the statuesque oak. The tree began producing acorns, a sign of rejuvenation, two seasons ago.

Lenni Lenape elders have certified that the ancient oak - a yellow oak not native to Pennsylvania - is 489 years old. Theis believes it might be about 700 years old, making it potentially older than the Inca city of Machu Picchu in South America.

Whatever its age, the tree has demonstrated remarkable resilience. It has survived vandalism, draughts, lightning strikes and the ravages of time.

The Lenni Lenape considered the Sacred Oak a godhead, or healing tree, and held rituals beneath its sturdy branches.

In recent years, it has become a mecca for people seeking solace or attempting to connect with nature.

An enthusiastic couple trudged through a foot of snow to be married at the tree in early February. Families have sprinkled the ashes of loved ones at the tree's base. There have been reports of spontaneous healings at the tree.

"People love to touch it," said Theis, who allows the public access to the tree. "It's a very magical place."

Mary Cameron, who owns Walking Winds Holistic Center in Hereford Township, said the old oak has rejuvenating powers.

"It calls to me most strongly when I need to connect with something larger than myself," said Cameron, who's been to the tree three times in the last year. "It doesn't solve your problems, but you always walk away feeling more peaceful and calm."